The docket analysis process was initiated by the CIAC at the SAPS Head Office in early 1995 (Locke, 2008). Questionnaires for all cases were developed, to try and establish a possible pattern when two or more specific crimes are reported in a specific area. A workgroup was established to compile a questionnaire for the purpose of docket analysis in rape cases. Docket analysis is currently done by the Management of Information Officer (MIO) at station level.
This questionnaire is an example of an instrument which can group information that can later be used in a specific investigation. The information requested is not the “beginning and the end”, as more relevant questions can be added as the need arises. The process is brought to life when a specific threat has been identified – for example, a sequence of rape cases is reported in a specific area in a specific time frame. In the current study, the focus was on rape cases reported in a specific time frame and area. As soon as the time frame is
available, the relevant case numbers and case dockets must be obtained from the archives.
During the execution of this study, a sample of case dockets was selected for analysis. The dockets were analysed against the questions as indicated in 1.8.4, see page 16. In relation to questions the result of the docket analysis produced the following findings:
Day of the week – It was found that most of the rapes occurred over weekends, with the majority on Saturdays.
Day of week Number %
Sunday 10 14,7
Monday 3 4,4
Tuesday 1 1,4
Thursday 7 10,2
Friday 18 26,4
Saturday 29 42,6
Total 68 100,0
Time of day – The time frames that is reflected in the table below should be understood as follows, day period will be from 06:00 till 17:59 whereas night time from 18:00 till 05:59. The most cases were reported during night time which is in total is 83, 9%, the bulk of it after midnight.
For the day period only 15, 1% is reported in relation to the night. This could be an indication that the offender feels the victims are more vulnerable and accessible during night time.
Time Number %
00:00 – 02:59 33 48,5
03:00 – 05:59 11 16,1
06:00 – 08:59 1 1,4
09:00 – 11:59 3 4,4
12:00 – 14:59 4 4.8
15:00 – 17:59 3 4,4
18:00 – 20:59 4 5,8
21:00 – 23:59 9 13,2
Total 68 100.0
Scene of crime – The first contact with the victim was either at the crime scene, or the victim was taken to a specific location. It was noticeable that the preferred scenes of attack were open fields or bushy areas. The rapes also occurred less frequently at the offender’s residence. The offender overpowers the victim and forces her to the place of the rape.
Place of first contact/
crime scene
Number %
Victim’s residence 7 10,29
Offender’s residence 6 8,82
Other private residence 9 13,23
Park 15 22,05
Open space 27 39,70
Unknown 4 5.88
Total 68 100,00
Victim’s condition – In the majority of these cases, the victims were on the way home from friends, and were surprised by the attacks. In 17, 64
% of the cases the victims used drugs. An indication was given that one or two beers were drunk with friends in 75% of the cases. The lowest percentage gave an indication of using strong liquor.
Any substances
taken by victims Number %
Drugs 12 17,64
Beer 51 75,00
Strong Liquor 5 7,35
Total 68 100,00
Victim before attack – In 55.88% of the cases analysed the victims were on their way home after visiting friends. It appears that the attacks commonly occur when the victim is alone.
Victim before attack Number %
Work 5 7,35
In tavern/shebeen 18 26,47
Visit to friends 38 55,88
At victim’s residence 7 10,29
Total 68 100,00
Approach by offender – The approaches effected in different ways – 75%
overpowered the victim (blitz approach), 22% wanted to show the victim something or offered assistance (con approach), and in 3% of the cases the victim described the attacker as unknown or she was surprised.
Approach by offender Number %
Blitz approach 51 75,00
Con approach 14 20,58
Surprise 1 1,47
Unknown 2 2,94
Total 68 100,00
How the attacks occurred.
• The offender, which could have been a single attacker or several single attackers, was very aggressive in his attacks, as if he wanted the victims to know he was stronger then they were, and in control. At times he slapped the victims through the face, without saying anything.
This happened in all 68 cases.
• In 44 of the cases analysed (a total of 65%), the victims reported that the offender or offenders threatened to kill them if they did not say he would make a good lover. The remaining 24 victims, reflecting 35%, were requested to show signs of affection by suggesting they wanted more. The researcher is of the opinion that the offender saw the victims as objects, based on his behaviour towards them.
• Sexual dysfunction: in 51 of the cases (75%), the victims indicated that the offender gave his penis a slap while mumbling something. This could be an indication that there was some form of erectile dysfunction.
The rest of the 17 cases (25%) indicated that the offender did not have any problem with getting an erection.
• Type and sequence of sexual acts: the type of acts indicated show that the offender thrived on fantasy. He was cuddling and kissing victims in their necks and breasts. This acts occurred in 51 of the 68 cases. In total, the rest of the victims (17 out of 68, a percentage of 25%) reported that he also bit their nipples before he raped them.
Victim’s reaction – In total, 68 of the victims indicated that they succumbed to the offender’s demands, as they feared for their lives.
Offender reaction towards resistance – As indicated, the victims did not attempt to resist, as the initial attack on approach startled and caused a fear of the offender. In all 68 cases reported it was the feedback.
Objects and property removed from the scene – In none of the 68 case dockets was such information reported.
Offender’s fleeing of scene – The offender, in all of the cases, ran away from the scene after he had committed these rapes. In none of the cases was an indication given that a vehicle was used as a getaway after the attacks. Based on this information, it is suggested that the offender or offenders lived nearby and knew the area well.
It is suggested by Ressler, Burgess and Douglas (1988:136) that comprehensive case material is essential for an accurate profile.
The information retrieved with the abovementioned questions was only to give an indication of the offender’s behaviour before, during and after the offence, which included the physical, verbal and sexual acts as suggested by Carney (2004:80–82) and Hazelwood and Burgess (1999:140–154). This information could be used to individualise the crimes as the act of a specific offender or several lone offenders.